NFL Draft 2025: Raiders snag Ashton Jeanty with sixth overall pick
Las Vegas Raiders Land Top Running Back Prospect Ashton Jeanty
In an exclusive chat with our digital platform, Boise State running backs coach James Montgomery gushes about star NFL Draft prospect Ashton Jeanty.
A rising star from Boise State and Heisman Trophy finalist, Ashton Jeanty has pinpointed the Las Vegas Raiders as his destiny, securing the No. 1 slot for running backs drafted this year.
Although the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars had made recent headlines as potential hotspots for Jeanty, the Raiders were always his top pick. With the team's struggles in the run game, finishing bottom of the league in production last season, Jeanty looks poised to breathe fresh life into the offense.
Jeanty's days of enchanting the college gridiron with his prowess are far from over, as he will now team up with new quarterback Geno Smith, eager to share the handoff with the budding sensation. The Raiders boast a standout roster that includes Brock Bowers, who had an impressive rookie season in 2024 following his first-round selection.
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As Jeanty's name is etched in the annals of football history, his recognition from handpicked scouts and analysts extends beyond that of a typical running back. His gifted blend of power and speed has been likened to legends like Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry, both renowned for captivating audiences with impromptu highlight-reel runs.
Measuring approximately 5 feet 9, 211 pounds, Jeanty has demonstrated the tenacity of a barnstorming charging bull, with the dexterity of a seasoned matador, darting around defenders and escaping the clutches of tacklers. But what's truly remarkable about this rare talent is his unparalleled endurance - he battles for extra yards even after first contact, thanks to a combination of sheer determination and remarkable agility.
Few defenders found him easy prey last season: struggling linebackers were compelled to cheat to the outside for fear of appearing feeble in their attempts to dispossess him. Jeanty donned the crown of the yard-gaining monarch, notching a run of 50 yards or more in 9 of his 14 games, solidifying his status as a home-run hitter par excellence.
If not for the dazzling performance of Travis Hunter, who ended up with the Cleveland Browns in second overall, Jeanty's dominance may have earned him the prestigious Heisman Trophy.
The mighty pros will present larger opponents and more daunting challenges for Jeanty, but the Raiders have high hopes that this electrifying powerhouse might soon grace the ranks of All-Pro players.
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- Ashton Jeanty, a promising running back prospect from Boise State and Heisman Trophy finalist, chose the Las Vegas Raiders as his preferred NFL destination for the upcoming draft, aiming to bring new energy to their struggling run game.
- Despite interest from teams like the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars, Jeanty's top pick remained the Las Vegas Raiders, who finished below league standards in production the previous season.
- In the NFL, Jeanty will be teaming up with new quarterback Geno Smith and will likely share the handoff with the talented rookie, joining a formidable squad including Brock Bowers, who enjoyed a successful rookie season in 2024.
- Commended by experts for his blend of power and speed, Jeanty's athleticism has been favorably compared to NFL legends like Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry, known for their electrifying impromptu runs.
- Jeanty's exceptional endurance and agility, combined with his ability to battle for extra yards even after initial contact, earned him a reputation as a dynamo on the college gridiron, scoring a run of 50 yards or more in nine of his fourteen games last season.
